Two weeks passed in the blink of an eye.
Most of Qasim’s days were spent the same way.
Training with Doran.
Training alone.
Then training again.
The results were... satisfying.
He had successfully learned two Nahr’keth phrases.
The first was the Light Attack.
The second was Light Dash.
Unlike the attack, however, Light Dash was unbelievably difficult.
Even after two weeks of practice, Qasim could only use it once before blood started dripping from his nose and ears, forcing him to stop immediately.
According to Doran, that was his body reaching its limit.
Until he rested...
Using it again would only make things worse.
And even worst is that the dash let him hit walls and obstacles, so he can use it efficient only in open areas.
Still...
His Light Attack had improved tremendously.
It was more precise.
More stable.
His whispering had also become noticeably faster.
Even Doran finally admitted it.
"You have talent."
Those three simple words almost made Qasim jump in excitement.
Coming from Doran...
That was a huge compliment.
The same man who had refused to teach him in the first place was now openly praising his progress.
Of course...
Whenever Qasim asked,
"So... are you finally enjoying teaching me?"
Doran would answer without hesitation.
"No."
"..."
"...Liar."
"Hm?"
"I said thank you."
The old man simply smirked.
He really enjoyed provoking the boy.
And somehow...
It worked almost every single time.
---
Only one week remained before the academy examination.
Qasim decided to stop learning anything new.
Instead, he reviewed everything he had studied so far.
Magic.
Nahr’keth.
Irada theory.
And during his free time...
Alchemy.
Although he still had neither the ingredients nor any idea where to obtain them...
Reading more couldn’t hurt.
Knowledge was knowledge.
---
The final day arrived.
Tomorrow...
He would leave for the capital.
Valen called him into the meeting room.
"So, kid."
"Ready?"
Qasim nodded.
"I think so."
"Good."
Valen tossed him a pair of black gloves.
"Here."
"Wear these."
Qasim caught them before looking up in confusion.
"...Gloves?"
"I need you to cover your Mahik tattoo."
"...Why?"
Valen leaned against the wall.
"Because it’s dangerous."
He pointed toward the back of Qasim’s hand.
"Your tattoo is connected to your Egoistical Layer."
"It’s like a window."
"It reflects your fate."
"Your power."
"And perhaps much more."
"We honestly don’t know what an expert could figure out just by studying it."
Qasim blinked.
"...Then why are you telling me this only now?"
"I’ve been walking around with it exposed this whole time."
Valen rubbed his chin.
"Hmm..."
"I wouldn’t compare it to exposing a secret."
"I’d compare it to running around naked."
Silence.
Qasim stared at him.
Then let out a long, tired sigh.
"...I hate your comparisons."
---
The next morning...
The two departed before sunrise.
Several hours later...
The capital finally appeared beyond the horizon.
Qasim froze.
The three great cities had already seemed unbelievably beautiful to him.
But this...
This was something else entirely.
It didn’t even feel real.
The roads gleamed like polished stone.
The buildings looked less like houses...
...and more like miniature castles.
Far in the distance...
The royal castle overlooked the entire capital.
Its white quartz-like walls reflected the morning sunlight while golden decorations shimmered across its towers.
It looked almost unreal.
There were no ordinary citizens walking the streets.
Only royal guards...
Officials...
Servants...
And the kingdom’s most important people.
There were no common shops either.
The nobles simply had everything delivered from the Three Great Cities.
Only luxurious restaurants...
Jewelry stores...
And exclusive businesses filled the streets.
After a while...
Qasim finally saw it.
The Royal Academy.
Standing proudly at the center of the capital like a monument that challenged the heavens themselves.
Valen noticed the look in the boy’s eyes.
"...Don’t get distracted."
Qasim slowly nodded.
"...Right."
One week.
One chance.
He tightened the gloves around his hands.
From this moment onward...
He needed to lock in.
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter